Samdzong: Archiving fragments of time

Tribhuvan University

Idea projektu

The changing landscape transforms from one time period to the next, creating overlapping
layers of a site’s identity evolving over time. Each layer potentially represents its own unique
story. But what about the problem that arises when important stories of a place are lost because
the site has transformed over time, especially when it is abandoned? What about the ruin that is
left over? Its history? The unheard voices? The story it encompass? Especially when there is
no one left to narrate it? What can we do to protect it?

Is architecture that powerful that it could archive all those fragments of time? Does architecture
hold such a potential that it could narrate stories through spaces?

This thesis proposal is a manifestation of an architectural response to the problem mentioned
above by using architecture as a tool to archive the fragments of time through a series of
experiential spaces.

This project is based on study of a village named Samzong that lies in Upper Mustang, which was
completely abandoned due to scarcity of water in 2016. This land had such a tragic ending, yet
holds the potential to contribute to archaeology based on remains found here in caves, all stored
in plastic bags inside a room. Use of these artifacts could be done to develop a comprehensive
museum yet experiential. Archaeology helps to identify the timeline of a particular place to
where it belongs. Based on reports, tracing of the timeline is done based on which architecture
intervention shall be done, narrating the story of Samdzong village through the perspective of
this village itself.

Popis projektu

The main objectives of my research are as follows:
• Archiving Fragments of Time: To trace the different timelines of Samdzong
village based on the analysis of artifacts that were discovered by archeologists
in the caves of the village.
• Preserve and introduce: To introduce a new program that would preserve the
historical value and extracted artifacts.
• Experience: To explore how the narration of a story can be done by a series of
architecture experience.

This thesis focuses more on encapsulating the fragmented stories of Samdzong
village through architectural experience. The design approach goes beyond the
traditional approach of conservation. It rather focuses more on exploring the
potential of architecture. For this purpose, firstly project focuses on understanding
local architecture, then preservation of Samdzong’s historical and archaeological
heritage would be done through the establishment of a comprehensive museum.
However, this thesis does not intend to revive or revitalize the cultural authenticity
but intends to celebrate the intangible cultural experience through architecture; to
archive the fragmented stories. The thesis had to be thought this way because the
houses were locked and were used occasionally.

Technické informace

The technical aspect of the project is grounded in the traditional construction techniques of Samdzong village, which employs mud architecture using blocks approximately 40 x 20 x 12 cm in size, laid with soil mortar. The documentation process encompassed the village’s physical, social, and cultural dimensions, aiming to trace its historical evolution. Samdzong holds particular significance as an important archaeological site in Nepal. Notably, many archaeological artifacts had been stored in plastic bags, prompting a need for proper curation. Integrating these artifacts meaningfully into the spatial narrative became a central objective of the project.

Dokumentace

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